Key-retainer.



H. R. HINTZE.

KEY RETAINER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.9. 191s.

Patented Mar. 11, 1919.

gnvawtoz HR. Hz'n ZZe 6m ablfocn a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY R. HINTZE, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

KEY-RETAINER.

Application filed August 9, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY R. HI'NTZE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of \Vayne and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Key-Retainers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to key retaining devices, the object being to provide a simple and inexpensive device by means of which a ke may be quickly and easily secured within the look from the inner side of the door, thereby preventing the insertion of keys or other instruments from the outer side of the door to guard against the unauthorized opening of the latter.

The invention also aims to provide a device of this character which may be removably secured through the shank of a door knob in a manner to prevent its accidental removal so as to be in a convenient position for use, at the same time not presenting a bulky or cumbersome appearance or in any way interfering with the removal or insertion of the key when not in use.

To this end the invention comprises a device formed of a single strand of spring wire bent centrally of its ends to provide a spring eye, substantially parallel arms curved inwardly at their extremities to form an elongated normally closed loop adapted for insertion over the shank of the door knob and key engaging legs formed of a continuation of the parallelarms and adapted for insertion in the eye of the key.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation showing the manner of using the invention, the door knob being shown by dotted lines and the key in transverse section; and a F Fig. 2 is an elevation at right angles to l leferring to the drawings in detail, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the numeral 10 indicates a fragmentary portion of a door, 11 the knob, 12 the shank of the knob and 13 the key, which is provided with the usual opening 14 in the shank.

The invention which is adapted for the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 11,-1919.

Serial N 0. 249,137.

of the door knob when the arms 16 are sprung over the latter. The inwardly curved extremity 17 terminating in legs 19, which are adapted to be inserted in the opening '14 of the key 13. These legs are in contact engagement at their extremities 20 and are gradually spaced apart toward their opposite ends to provide a wedge shaped element for entrance into the opening in the shank of the key. This provides an opposite engagement between the retainer and the key, the wedge form snugly fitting keys having various sized openings.

By forming the loop 18 in the manner specified, the retainer may be sprung over the knob 11 upon the shank 12 and remain thereon as long as desired, permitting of its insertion and removal from the opening in the key shank when the occasion arises. When not in use the device in no way interferes with the ordinary use of the key and owing to its positive engagement with the shank remaining at all times ready for use.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is A key retainer formed of a single strand of spring wire bent centrally of its ends to form a spring eye, substantially parallel arms curved inwardly at their extremities to form an elongated normally closed loop for engagement over the shank of a door knob and key engaging legs, said legs being in contacting engagement at their extremities and gradually spaced apart to form a Wedge shaped element for entrance into the eye of a key.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HENRY R. HINT-ZE. 

